The 2024/2025 season of the French Professional D2 is about to start out, and the variety of worldwide gamers retains rising with the likes of Courtney Lawes, George North, Chris Farrell and Curwin Bosch having joined forward of the approaching season.
Right here’s the complete record of the 238 overseas gamers making a dwelling within the unique land of the Professional D2. Japan is the one group with no Professional D2 consultant.
Caveat: gamers born in France and eligible to play for an additional nation solely depend if they’re already capped for that nation.
Caveat nº2: espoirs/academy gamers that haven’t performed greater than a single sport for a Professional D2 aspect aren’t listed.
SOUTH AFRICA
Curwin Bosch exited the URC Hollywood Sharks to hitch CA Brive in an all-or-nothing effort by Les Gaillards who need to rejoin the Top14. Bosch’s functionality of taking part in as a flyhalf and fullback will work properly for his group.
One other 27 South-African gamers play within the Professional D2: Shaun Reynolds (US Nevers – fly half), Johan Georg Wasserman (US Nevers – fullback), Janse Roux (Colomiers – lock), Chris Smith (Oyonnax – fly half), Ru-Hann Greyling (US Montauban – hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (US Montauban – unfastened ahead), John Jackson (US Montauban – centre), Marcel Van der Merwe (CA Brive – prop), Retief Marais (CA Brive – unfastened ahead), Nic Krone (CA Brive – fullback), John Fincham (AS Béziers-Hérault – prop), Wilmar Arnlodi (AS Béziers-Hérault – hooker), Sias Koen (AS Béziers-Hérault – unfastened ahead), Brendan Holder (AS Béziers-Hérault – centre), Johannes Jonker (FC Grenoble – prop), Hanru Sirgel (FC Grenoble – unfastened ahead), Robert Rodgers (Stade Aurillacois – prop), Abongile Nonkontwana (Stade Aurillacois – unfastened ahead), Jean-Luc Cilliers (Stade Aurillacois – fly half), Adriaan Coertzen (Stade Aurillacois – wing), Jordon Van Rensburg (Stade Aurillacois – wing), Gareth Milasinovich (Valence Romans DR – prop), Thembelani Bholi (Valence Romans DR – lock), Gysbert du Preez (US Dax – lock), Aston Fortuin (Stade Montois – lock), Luvuyo Pupuma (Stade Niçois – prop), and Christian Erasmus (Stade Niçois – wing).
IRELAND
After 5 years representing Munster, Chris Farrell signed with Oyonnax in 2022 and helped the Oyomen win that 12 months Professional D2. Now relegated, the Alpine membership wants the Irish centre again to his finest kind in the event that they need to mount a severe title problem.
Eire is represented by twelve gamers within the Professional D2: John Madigan (SA Agen – lock), Darren Sweentam (US Oyonnax – wing), Frank Bradshaw (Montauban – lock), Stuart Olding (CA Brive – fly half), Ronan Loughnane (Stade Aurillacois – hooker), Eoghan Masterson (Stade Aurillacois – unfastened ahead), Karl Martin (Stade Aurillacois – centre), Darren O’Shea (Vannes – lock), Matthew Dalton (Soyaux-Angoulême – lock), Eoghan Barrett (Soyaux-Angoulême – wing) and Tom Daly (Stade Niçois – centre)
NEW ZEALAND
Jimmy Gopperth resides proof that longevity is feasible in rugby, because the maestro will play his twentieth season in 2024/2025. The previous Wasps fly-half signed for an extra season with Provence, together with his sights locked on delivering the Professional D2 title to the Mediterranean membership.
New Zealand is the one nation with no Take a look at Match gamers taking part in within the Professional D2.
A complete of sixteen New Zealanders play within the Professional D2: Chris Gabriel (US Nevers – lock), Jack Whetton (Colomiers – lock), Ray Nu’u (Colomiers – centre), Roy Grice (US Oyonnax – unfastened ahead), Jonathan Ruru (US Oyonnax – scrum half), Gavin Stark (US Oyonnax – wing), Kaveinga Finau (Provence – centre), Taleta Tupuola (AS Béziers-Hérault – centre), Dominic Robertson-McCoy (Stade Aurillacois – prop), Ofa Manuofetoa (Stade Aurillacois – centre), Sam Weasley (US Dax – unfastened ahead), Ben Botica (Soyaux-Angoulême – Fly half), Jacob Botica (Soyaux-Angoulême – fly half), George Tilsey (Soyaux-Angoulême – wing), Ramiha Smiler (Stade Niçois – unfastened ahead)
ENGLAND
Courtney Lawes was indubitably the largest title signed by a Professional D2 aspect, including much-needed expertise to CA Brive sqaud. Lawes set-piece excellence, huge expertise and gritty perspective could possibly be decisive for the way the season performs out.
England’s presence within the Professional D2 has expanded to eighteen gamers, due to greater than a handful of latest arrivals: Jack Maunder (SA Agen – scrum-half), Billy Searle (SA Agen – fly half), Henry Purdy (SA Agen – centre), Brett Herron (Colomiers – fly half), Charlie Matthews (Biarritz Olympique – lock), Jonathan Joseph (Biarritz Olympique – centre), Zach Kibirige (Biarritz Olympique – wing), Teimana Harrison (Provence – unfastened ahead), Lewis Bean (Montauban – lock), Karl Wilkins (Montauban – unfastened ahead), Christian Choose (AS Béziers-Hérault – prop), Cam Dodson (AS Béziers-Hérault – lock), Harry Glynn (AS Béziers-Hérault – fly half), Pierce Phillips (FC Grenoble – lock), George Price (Valence Romans DR – fullback), Myles Edwards (Stade Montois – lock) and Jonny Could (Soyaux-Angoulême – wing).
ARGENTINA
Former Cherry and Whites hooker Santi Socino has joined SA Agen after 4 seasons taking part in in England, granting a robust scrummager to one of many Professional D2 title challengers.
Seventeen Argentinians will play within the 2024/2025 Professional D2 season: Pablo Dimcheff (Colomiers – hooker), Joaquin de la Vega (Colomiers – fly half), Lucas Mensa (US Oyonnax – centre), Martín Bogado (US Yonnax – fullback), Federico Wegrzyn (Provence – Prop), Nicolas Toth (Provence – prop), Facundo Pompino (Montauban – prop), Tomas Lezana (Montauban – unfastened ahead), Segundo Tuculet (Montauban – wing), Francisco Marchetti (CA Brive – prop), Jose Gonzalez (AS Béziers-Hérault – hooker), Bautista Ezcurra (FC Grenoble – centre), Patricio Fernandez (Stade Montois – fly half), Nicolás Ciancio (Stade Niçois – prop), Facundo Gigena (Stade Niçois – prop) and Martin Freytes (Stade Niçois – lock).
SCOTLAND
After serving to the Glasgow Warriors conquer the URC, loosehead powerhouse Oli Kebble has accepted US Oyonnax supply to assist them again to the Top14.
Ewan Johnson (US Oyonnax – lock), Cornel du Preez (Biarritz Olympique – unfastened ahead), Robin McClintock (Biarritz Olympique – centre) and Sam Johnson (CA Brive – centre) are the opposite Professional D2 Scotsmen.
ITALY
Italy’s presence within the Professional D2 is restricted to 2 gamers: David Odiase (US Oyonnax – unfastened ahead) and former Gil Azzurri worldwide David Odiete (Stade Niçois – fullback).
AUSTRALIA
Ned Hannigan and Izack Rodda’s time in Tremendous Rugby Pacific has come to an finish, each departing to new shores, having signed with Provence for the subsequent two seasons, a serious increase for the membership’s title hopes.
Alongside the 2 former Wallabies, an additional 13 Australian-born gamers may also be concerned with Professional D2 groups: Efi Ma’afu (US Nevers – hooker), Caleb Timu (Colomiers – unfastened ahead), Phoenix Battye (US Oyonnax – lock), Zach Holmes (US Oyonnax – fly half), Sione Tui (Provence – wing), Joe Powell (Montauban – scrum-half), Sitakeli Timani (CA Brive – lock), Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (CA Brive – unfastened ahead), Ryan McCauley (Valence Romands DR – lock), Alexander Masibaka (Soyaux-Angoulême – unfastened ahead), Tom Ross (Stade Niçois – prop) and Tom Murday (Stade Niçois – lock).
FIJI
The Fijian battalion is by far probably the most quite a few on the record, with an insane thirty-five athletes showcasing their craft within the Professional D2.
Even when most are nonetheless not Flying Fijians, gamers like US Dax wing Jope Naseara have set a excessive normal within the competitors.
Kolinio Ramoka (SA Agen – centre), Inoke Nalaga (SA Agen – wing), Josateki Tuituba (US Nevers – unfastened ahead), Sakiusa Baseise (Colomiers – unfastened ahead), Peniami Narisia (US Oyonnax – hooker), Veresa Ramototabua (US Oyonnax – unfastened ahead), Edward Sawailau (US Oyoonax – wing), John Dyer (Biarritz Olympique – lock) Masivesi Dakuwaqa (Biarritz Olympique – unfastened ahead), Eto Bainivalu (Provence – centre), Sevenaia Galala (Montauban – centre), Josua Vici (Montauban – wing), Tevita Ratuva (CA Brive – lock), Paula Walisoliso (US Nevers – centre), Taniela Sadrugu (CA Brive – centre), Asaeli Tuivuaka (CA Brive – wing), Timilai Rokoduru (CA Brive – wing), Tevita Railevu (CA Brive – wing), Peteru Mailulu (AS Béziers-Hérault – lock), Aminiasi Tuimaba (AS Béziers-Hérault – wing), Watisoni Votu (AS Béziers-Hérault – centre), Pio Muarua (FC Grenoble – unfastened ahead), Kaminieli Rasaku (FC Grenoble – wing), Simeli Yabaki (Stade Aurillacois – wing), Ben Neiceru (Valence Romans DR – wing), Mosese Mawalu (Valence Romans DR – unfastened ahead), Ratu Nacika (US Dax – unfastened ahead), Jale Vatubua (US Dax – centre), Nacani Wakaya (Stade Montois – centre), Semi Lagivala (Stade Montois – wing), Eroni Sau (Stade Montois – wing), Sikeli Nabou (Soyaux-Angoulême – lock), Ledua Mau (Soyaux-Angoulême – centre) and Sunia Vola (Stade Niçois – prop).
WALES
George North’s debut for Provence may nonetheless be some months away, however there’s little question that Welsh legend will make an instantaneous influence as soon as he recovers from his Achilles heel harm.
The opposite Welshmen are Tyler Morgan (US Oyonnax – unfastened ahead), Tom Francis (Provence – prop), Ross Moriarty (Provence – unfastened ahead), Sam Davies (FC Grenoble – fly half) and Owen Lane (Valence Romans DR – centre).
GEORGIA
Georgia takes the silver because the second most represented nation within the Professional D2, not stunning, because the proud nation of the Lelos has helped multiple membership obtain glory. Giorgi Kveseladze is likely one of the latest additions to the league, signing with the 2023/2024 runners-up FC Grenoble.
The opposite twenty-nine Georgians are because it follows: Lasha Macharashvili (SA Agen – prop), Tornie Mataradze (US Nevers – prop), Ilia Kaikatsishvili (US Nevers – prop), Lasha Jaiani (US Nevers – lock), Vasil Lobzhanidze (US Oyonnax – scrum half), Giorgi Nutsubidze (Biarritz Olympique – prop), Giorgi Dzmanashvili (Biarritz Olympique – prop), Nodari Shengelia (Biarritz Olympique – prop), Tornike Jalagonia (Provence – unfastened ahead), Mirian Burduli (Montauban – prop), Omar Odishvili (CA Brive – prop), Vakh Abdaladze (CA Brive – prop), Konstantin Mikautadze (CA Brive – lock), Georges Shvelidze (CA Brive – centre), Giorgi Mamaiashvili (FC Grenoble – prop), Giorgi Pertaia (FC Grenoble – prop), Giorgi Javakhia (FC Grenoble – lock), Irakli Mtchedlidze (Stade Aurillacois – prop), Giorgi Kartvelishvili (Stade Aurillacois – prop), Basa Khonelidze (Stade Aurillacois – hooker), Luka Nioradze (Stade Aurillacois – unfastened ahead), Mikheil Alania (Stade Aurillacois – scrum half), Tedo Abzhandadze (Stade Aurillacois – fly half), Dachi Papunashvili (Stade Aurillacois – wing), Otar Giorgadze (Valence Romans DR – unfastened ahead), Ilia Spanderashvili (Valence Romans DR – unfastened ahead), Luka Goginava (Stade Montois – prop) and Ioane Iashagashvili (Stade Montois – unfastened ahead).
SAMOA
Newly promoted Stade Niçois has made some roster changes to have a greater likelihood of survival, with former Crusaders and LOU Jordan Taufua arriving to take the reigns of the ahead pack.
The eleven Samoans who’re going to play within the Professional D2 2024/2025: Senio Toleafoa (US Nevers – lock), Marco Fepulea’i (Colomiers – prop), Luteru Tolai (Biarritz Olympique – hooker), Piula Fa’asalele (Biarritz Olympique – lock), Josh Tyrell (Provence – unfastened ahead), Tietie Tuimauga (Montauban – prop), Brendon Nansen (FC Grenoble – lock), Elijah Niko (Stade Aurillacois – centre), Nephi Leatigaga (US Dax – prop), Genesis Lemalu (US Dax – unfastened ahead) and Motu Matu’u (Soyaux-Angoulême – hooker).
PORTUGAL
Samuel Marques and fourteen Portuguese internationals are prepared for the brand new Professional D2 season, with a few data within the grasp. Francisco Fernandes is simply sixteen video games away from turning into the all-time participant with probably the most video games within the competitors, whereas Samuel Marques wants fourteen factors to earn a seat within the all-time level scorer leaderboard.
Lucas Martins (SA Agen – wing), Rodrigo Marta (Colomiers – wing), Vincent Pinto (Colomiers – wing), Francisco Fernandes (AS Béziers-Hérault – prop), Hugo Camacho (AS Béziers-Hérault – scrum half), Hugo Aubry (AS Béziers-Hérault – fly half), Cody Thomas (FC Grenoble – prop), José Madeira (FC Grenoble – lock), Joris Moura (Valence Romans DR – fly half), Diogo Hasse Ferreira (US Dax – prop), Luka Begic (Stade Montois – hooker), Anthony Alves (Stade Montois – prop), Pierre Sayerse (Stade Montois – wing) and Simão Bento (Stade Montois – fullback).
TONGA
Moana Pasifika Anzelo Tuitavuki will probably be one of many 9 Tongans to play on this 12 months’s Professional D2. The centre has signed with Colomiers and will definitely boost the backline of a membership that has the purpose to battle for the championship playoff.
Fotu Lokotui (SA Agen – unfastened ahead), Atunaisa Manu (US Nevers – centre), Wesley Tapueluelu (CA Brive – prop), Otonuku Jr Pauta (AS Béziers-Hérault – unfastened ahead), Mosa’ati Moala (Stade Aurillacois – lock), David Lolohea (US Dax – prop), Michael Faleafa (Stade Montois – unfastened ahead) and Sione Anga’Aelangi (Stade Niçois – hooker).
URUGUAY
Just one Uruguayan will function within the Professional D2, with lock Manuel Leindekar staying with US Oyonnax for an additional season.
SPAIN
Will 2024/2025 be Biarritz Olympique revival? For that to occur they might want to push Kerman Aurrekoetxea to point out his finest, because the scrum-half has the potential to be a particular troublemaker.
He received’t be the one Spanish to play within the 24/25 Professional D2, as eleven others may also have the prospect to point out their craft: Hugo Pirlet (Colomiers – prop), Ignacio Piñeiro (US Oyonnax – unfastened ahead), Ekain Imaz (Biarritz Olympique – unfastened ahead), Kerman Aurrekoetxea (Biarritz Olympique – scrum-half), Frédéric Quercy (Montauban – unfastened ahead), Asier Usarraga (CA Brive – unfastened ahead), Charly Malié (AS Béziers-Hérault – fly half), Gauthier Minguillon (Valence Romans DR – wing), Lucas Gillaume (US Dax – lock), Brice Ferrer (US Dax – unfastened ahead), Gauthier Gibouin (Soyaux-Angoulême – unfastened ahead) and Santi Ovejero (Stade Niçois – hooker).
USA
USA’s numbers within the Professional D2 have dwindled since COVID, with solely two making the fray being: Nani Ma’afu (Biarritz Olympique – lock) and Renger van Eerten (CA Brive – lock).
ROMANIA
After two years taking part in for now-demoted Rouen Normandie, Stejarii Taylor Gontineac transitioned to AS Béziers-Hérault as the subsequent step in his profession. The son of the legendary Romeo Gontineac is likely one of the 4 Romanian within the Professional D2: Adrian Motoc (Biarritz Olympique – lock), Atila Septar (Provence – centre) and Gheorge Gajion (Stade Montois – prop).
The Professional D2 additionally has gamers from nations like Netherlands (dutch captain Koen Bloemen is likely one of the largest names within the Stade Aurillacois squad), Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Algeria, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Namibia (Richard Hardwick will play for Grenoble till 2026), and plenty of others. The next record solely compromises the gamers from the top-20 Nations of the World Rugby official rating.
